Sad passing of Roy Bartlett
Roy Bartlett 87, died on Sunday 12th November at his home in Ealing from heart failure. His funeral service will be held at Breakspear Crematorium Ruislip on Tuesday 5th December at 12.15 followed by a chance to share memories and stories of his life at Wealdstone FC, Grosvenor Vale, Ruislip.Roy led a fulfilled and varied life. He was a regularly contributor in the letters column in the Ealing Gazette and on the Ealing Today website and always managed to add his little sense humour to whatever the topic. He would also be seen every November sitting on his buggy in Waitrose (West Ealing) proudly selling poppies for the Remembrance Day.He was born the youngest of four to Mary and Edwin Bartlett on 14th June 1930 in South Ealing where he lived with sister Ivy and brothers Ted and BernHe formed Viking Sports at the age of 14 whilst at AEC at the end of the war in 1945. In over 60 years involvement, Roy occupied every role within the club where he started as GK then onto manager, physio, secretary, Chairman and finally as President. 1947 Roy organised the first overseas visit by a British youth football team to Europe after the warHe joined the RAF as part of his National service and was posted to Hereford and Yorkshire in the explosives unit. Roy met his wife Beryl at the football club and they married on Boxing Day 1954 and had their reception at Gunnersbury Park Mansion. had their only child Gordon, in the following December. In 1965, he organised a momentous overland coach trip to the Soviet Union at the height of the ‘Cold War’ which proved to be an outstanding success in terms of enterprise and goodwill.In 1968 another Viking touring party were caught up in the ‘Warsaw pact’ invasion of the Czechoslovakia . As leader, Roy’s diplomacy and tact in dealing with the Russian led occupying forces successfully led the young party to the safety of Austria.These tours and the hosting of foreign opposition accrued a record number of 92 matches. After leaving AEC, he worked for Hyster, as a warranty claims officer before moving to Barlow Handling in White Waltham near Maidenhead where he was made redundant after suffering a heart attack in 1978. Always a fighter, he recovered well and it wasn’t long before he joined Beryl working at the Children’s home in Ealing as a part time ‘caretaker’ and was soon back on his mower doing various groundsman jobs. He served on numerous football committees’ and the Birkbeck residents association and was a tutor on the Duke of Edinburgh Award for groundsmanship and community skillsHe also became an author writing two books on his favourite subjects Viking and his childhood memories, ‘Life’s a Ball’ and ‘Little Boy’s War’. 2001 he was included in the New Year’s Day Parade at part of the London Roll of Honour for services to the London Borough of Ealing. Roy also featured in several national television broadcasts such as 'Blitz Spirit', 'Home Front' and 'Songs of Praise' - 'Wartime Christmas'.In 2015 Roy and Beryl celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a letter from the Queen.He continued Voluntary work with Gunnersbury Park Museum and Walpole Park educational programme well into his 80’s speaking to school children about the 1940’s experience. It seems fitting that he actually passed away in the early hours of Remembrance Sunday.Roy was an inspirational person who gave so much, to so many. He was a true gentleman who touched the hearts of many people during his life and leaves special memories of a kind and caring man. In lieu of flowers, Roy’s family request donations go to Dementia UK via Lodge Brothers website.
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